President of the country, Hashim Thaçi, at the opening of the proceedings of the Sofia Summit, which discusses the subject of “Strengthening of all dimensions of interconnectivity (socio-economic, physical, digital and human)”, said that this Summit taking place at an important moment for European Union and western Balkans.
President of the country, Hashim Thaçi, at the opening of the proceedings of the Sofia Summit, which discusses the subject of “Strengthening of all dimensions of interconnectivity (socio-economic, physical, digital and human)”, said that this Summit taking place at an important moment for European Union and western Balkans.
“This Summit, between European Union and Western Balkans, is an extraordinary joint success, and particularly one of our hosts, Bulgarian presidency. The success of this summit is based on the retention of the engagement with the Western Balkan states, through an all-encompassing and equal approach and which is based upon an important principle, that which states that the whole of Western Balkans enjoys an European perspective.”, said President Thaçi.
The head of state also said that this includes the EU’s February strategy for Western Balkans, and our engagements for various initiatives, such as Berlin Process, Connectivity agenda, and the Long Term plan for the Regional Economic Area, and many other forums which aim to bring the Western Balkan states closer to each other and to the European Union.
“I have the pleasure to also personally confirm Kosovo’s support for the contents of the declaration of this summit and Sofia’s priority agenda. We support fully all crucial principles of the streng5thened cooperation, good neighbourly relations and the need for finding sustainable and obligatory solutions to bilateral disagreements”, said President Thaçi.
In front of European and Balkan leaders, President Thaçi said that Kosovo is and will remain fully dedicated to these goals, including the EU facilitated dialogue on normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
“Kosovo is ready to enter the final stage of the dialogue with Serbia on the achievement of a legally binding agreement on normalization of relations and reconciliation. Please allow me to stress the need for equal rules of the game, especially now when we are moving towards implementation of subjects being discussed at this Summit, and in the case of Kosovo, this includes the quick conclusion of the visa liberalisation process, on which Kosovo has fulfilled all 95 required criteria.
President Thaçi also added that if we really want a viable influence in bringing the region closer, this must also include the removal of the various barriers which are actually present.
This includes, but not only, according to President Thaçi, recognition of qualifications, certificates and other documents, less time spent at border crossings, interactions in the energy field, ensuring of the freedom of movement for people within the region by visa removal, but also enlivening of other promises we have made as a region on previous occasions.